SURPRISE ALLIED BLOWS EXPECTED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 38, 15 February 1943, Page 3

SURPRISE ALLIED BLOWS EXPECTED

OPINION IN AMERICA

Attacks Against Japan's Mainland Forecast N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 12.30. WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. The Allies will launch surprise blows against Japan soon, according to war observers here. Aerial attacks against the Japanese mainland and increased efforts against her shipping supply lines are expected. Bases in China will be used for the air offensive. In the South Pacific American forces are thought to be preparing for attacks on Munda, New Georgia, which is now being softened by intensive aerial assaults. David Lawrence, the New York Sun correspondent at Washington, says that the plan to take the offensive against Japan has crystalised. He regards as significant Mr. Churchill's pledge that Britain will help with all her might. "The United States could defeat Japan without any help, but it would take five years," comments Mr. Lawrence. "With the co-operation of the British naval and air forces it might be done in a year after Hitler is beaten," he states. Joseph Harsch, writing in the Christian Science Monitor, believes that new and more intensive developments in China, preparatory to an attack on Japan, are indicated by the Chungking visit of Field-Marshal Sir John Dill and General Arnold, chief of the United States Army Air Corps.

"This is strongly confirmed by Washington reports that General Macarthur and General Wavell will soon meet for the first time," says Mr. Harsch. "General Wavell could provide flanking protection for General Macarthur's force, striking along a line from Australia towards the Philippines. However, the important question is which side will strike first. While the present events may be part of war nerves, the tension in the atmosphere.. also gives warning of the big things stirring. Value of Guadalcanar Assessing the value of the American victory at Guadalcanar, Charles Hurd, New York Times correspondent at Washington, says the United States possesses "simply another outpost with an airfield." He warns of the difficulties of an, advance against powerful Japanese bases in the northern Solomons where the enemy has built new airfieds well stocked with planes, and which possess heavy guns and well trained garrisons. However. Mr. Hurd recalls the statement of Colonel Frank Knox, Secretary to the Navy, that the war in the Pacific would not be an indefinite repetition of Guadalcanar "There is no expectation ot complete stalemate in the Pacific, he adds. "Another move will surely come soon." The New York Journal-American editorially supports "Australia's attitude that its danger is not materially less because of the encouraging Allied advances in New Guinea and Guadalcanar and that the Japanese power has not been substantially reduced." The paper declares that the Australians are right in their attitude and regrets Colonel Knox's recent failure to visit the Commonwealth.